Barcelona considering two top options to strengthen midfield – report

One of FC Barcelona’s biggest priorities heading into the summer transfer window is to sign a top-class pivot midfielder.

New manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco agree that a defensive midfielder is an absolute necessity for Barca and are working to identify the players best suited to the role.

NOW, World of sport reports that the Blaugrana have two names on the wish list that they like the most for the position.

Everton and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana is the player “most valued” by Barcelona to strengthen the midfield department, according to the report.

The 23-year-old is a very powerful player with good ball handling and would add some physicality to Barca’s midfield while also being a strong presence in the air.

However, signing Onana will not be straightforward due to the fact that he is also attracting strong interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich, while Everton are also said to be demanding a big fee for him.

If the “Fair Play” margin of maneuver is sufficient, FC Barcelona could consider the Onana operation. But for now, such a scenario seems difficult and, for this reason, the club has identified an alternative in the person of Mikel Merino, from Real Sociedad.

With his contract expiring next year and renewal negotiations at a standstill, Sociedad are unable to hold out for his €65m release clause and would be forced to accept a lower offer this summer.

In fact, it has been suggested that Merino could be available for as little as €25 million this summer, making him an attractive target.

Although he is not a pivot per se, the fact that Hansi Flick plays with two midfielders in front of the defense gives him possibilities in this system.